Base machine



Mfn'ch 3, 1931. Q L, RS 1,795,262

BASE MACHINE Filed-Feb. 11. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l [nimtor Harry L.My r

Attorney March 3, 193 1. I MYERS 1,795,262

BASE MACHINE Filed Feb. 11, 1928 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Harry L My rs @gmmah Attorngy H. MYERS BASE MACHINE March 3, 1931.

Filed Feb. 11, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Harry L .JVTyer-s Attorney March 3, 1931,

H. L. MYERS 1,795,262

BASE MACHINE Filed Feb. 11, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor HarryL .M yers Attoqze Patented Mar. 3, 1931 junirtn PATENT OFF-"3E,

nanny L. MYERS, or TOLEDO, onro, ass enon To THEAMERICAN moon SURFACING MACHINE COMPANY,

on ronnno, OHIO BASE MACHINE Application tiled February 11, 1923.

This invention relates to an improvedelectrically operated base machine, expressly constructed for scraping, polishing and otherwise conditioning terrazzo base, wainscotin'g," walls, sta r work,

and analogous .tructures.

- Briefly, the invention has more particular reference to a machine of the elevated type including gear driven means suspended above the surface.

My principal object is to provide a machine of this class which is characterized by com-v pactness andconvenience of arrangement of parts, an exclusive power transmission balancing device, a positive short belt drive, a

special power transmission embodying a plurality of swinging rigidly connected arms by an enclosed gear structure, and flexibility of operation, to make for efficiency in operation.

Vhat Ifhave endeavored to do beyond what 3 has already been done in'this art, is to provide what is known in the trade as a gearedbase machine embodying a new and dependable organization of details, which cooperate in providing a structure which is positive in operation, efiicient in performance, capable of fulfilling the requirement ofa machine of this class, modernizel, well developed from a manufacturing standpoint, and therefore commercially eligible as a competitive machinein the trade.

The advantages, derived from the structural improvements embodied in this macl-iine, will be enumerated following the detailed description, and will be made apparent at the latter description proceeds.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete geared base machine as constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fi 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional and elevational view through the upper portion of the machine, particularly the especially designed casting.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken approxi mately upon the plane of the line 3 -3 of Fig.2.

' Fig. 4 is asectional and elevational view of one of the special geared joints of the power transmission machine.

power transmission sented by the bodies an integral Serial Il'o. 253,605.

Fig. 5 is'an enlarged view of an axle for a spring drum.

Fig, 6 is an end elevational view of the part shown in Fig. 5, f

Fig. 7 'isa perspective view of said spring drum.

Fig.8 is a perspective view of a coupling pin between the drum and itsmounting. L

Attention is first invited to Fig. 1, wherein the complete machine is shown. The frefcrence numeral 9 here designates what is broadly referred to as a support and whatis specifically referred to as a truck. Thetrnck is of generalrectangular design, and includes corner legs 10, equipped with sWivelled casters 11. l

The truck, which is made of pressed steel, is so proportioned, that the caster wheels are spaced far enough apart, and'the platform is low enough to overcome'any tendency of the machineto be top heavy.

Rising from the center of one end of the truck is avertical standard or column 12 fastened by a clamp 13 to the special mounting members 14, which are bolted or otherwise fastened to this end portion of the true Also bolted to the truck, we find spaced parallel rails 15 on which an appropriate electric motor 16 is mounted. The electrical motor is equipped with a small pulley as shown.

As before intimated, I provide an especially designed casting on the upper end of the standard, the casting being generally reprenumeral 17. The casting includes a tubular clamp 18 which embraces the upper end of the standard, and off to one side, it is. formed with a substantially semi-circularpulley shield 19.v It also emspring housing 20 which, as shown in Fig. 2 is open on one side with the open side closed by a removable cover plate 21. l

The spring housing is disposed vertically and formed in one side with an opening as at 22. The cover plate is formed with a bearing 23 opposite this opening 22, to serve a purpose to be hereinafter described. As shown better in Fig. 2, the casting is made to accommodate a pulley shaft 24 on which spring drum mounting.

' ing bevel the pulley is mounted, this extending through appropriately anchored bushings 26 and being journaled in suitable roller bearings 27.

The pulley shaft extends through a. casing portion 28, of the casting, theextended end carrying a beveled gear 29 located in a cylindrical gear housing 30. Incidentally, this gear housing is bolted through the medium U of a flame 31, to the casting and it accommodates a eomplemental having a beveled beveled gear 29.

Before proceeding further, I wish to call attention to Fig. 3, wherein it will be observed that a spring 34. is enclosed in the aforesaidspring housing 20. The spring has one end provided with. a hook 85, separably connected with an anchoring lug 36, formed in the housing. The opposite end of the spring is separably connected with a slot 37 in a spring drum 38. The spring drum is here provided with circumferentially spaced longitudinal bores or sockets 39 for tensioning the spring.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, we observe the. spring drum mounting comprises an axle 4.0. on whicn the drum is rotatably mounted, the axle being provided with ahead ll and an eccentric portion equipped with a pin receiving socket 412. The. head is provided with apertured lugs 43. As shown in Fig. 2. a pin 44 (see Fig. 8 also), is fitted into the socket l2, and is adapted for sele tive reception in any one of the bores 39 of the spring drum. Obviously, by changing the position of the pin, the tension of the spring 31'- can be regulated.

The principal purpose of the pin however, is to provide a coupling between the drum and the head 41. Referring again to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the reference character 4:5 designates a hollow elbow whose short branch 46 disposed in alinement with the evlindrical gear casing 30 and the opening pulley shaft 32 gear 33 in mesh with the 22 in the spring drum housing. In fact, this branch 41-6 has swivel connection with the part 30, and the opposite open end has connection with the aforesaid head all of the To this end, the provided with outstanding ears bolted or otherwise fastened to the corresponding portions 43 on the heads -11.

The branch 46 accommodates intermeshpinions or gears 49, and a complemental branch 50 accommodates a solid shaft 51 of the power transmission means. In this connection, attention is invited to the fitting or coupling 52, which receives an end portion of the shaft tubing or casing 53.

Referring again to Fig. 1, a clear observation of the flexible power transmission means 1 ray be had. This means is not flexible in e ordinary sense that the word is used in branch 46 is H l "rh do c ibmg a flexible drive shaft. At the same time, the flexibility of the arrangement is evident.

For purposes of convenience, the power transmission means is specifically niown as being made up of rigid sections connected together by geared joints. The horizontal section is represented by the reference character 54-, and the vertical section by the character 55.. The numeral 56 designates one geared joint broadly, and the numeral 57 another geared joint.

he numeral 58 designates generally a novel grinding head employed in association with this machineythe same including a casing 59 accommodating the shaft (not shown) of the cylindrical abrasive 60, and carrying an arcuate guard 61, hand grip 62 equipped with a supporting hook 68, and a complemental handle or hand grip 64.

In F at, I have detailed one of the geared joints and by referring to this figure, it will be seen that the reference numeral (35 designates a right angular member and numeral 66 a complemental member of somewhat the same design. The adjacent ends of these membersare disposed in abutting relation, for relative swivelling motion, a dust guard or band 67 being provided at this point.

Ti lie shafts 68 and G9 carry bevel gears 70 and 71 respectively, meshing with complemental bevel gears Y9, on the small inter connecting shaft 73. Appropriate bearings are of course provided with intermediate spacing sleeves and removable closures 75 are also provided to facilitate assembling. With this arrangement, it is obvious that the intergeared shafts serve to positively transmit motion-from the source of power through t re power transmission means, while at the same time permitting rolling of the gears upon each other, to accomplish the relative swinging motion of the rigid sections or arms.

Each joint includes the retention collars 75 receiving the shaft tubing 76. Attention is yet tobe called to a suitable electric switch box 77 on the intermediate portion of the standard 12, and a special fixture 78- on the lower end portion of the standard including a hand grip 79 and a supporting hook 80, upon which the previously mentioned hook 63 on the grinding head 58 is suspended.

The practicability and eiiiciency of the machine may be better appreciated by a consideration of the following advantages, viz r 7' Oompaotness and concem'ence Inventive and engineering skill combined with careful designing serves to make the geared base machine herein illustrated eiiicient, yet very compact. The truck, which is made of pressed steel, is so proportioned that the caster wheels are spaced far enough apart and the platform is sufficiently close to the messes surface to overcome any tendency of. the machine to be top-heavy. The general design gives to follow along behind the operator. Should there be any resistance,the handle or hand I grip which is conveniently located on the lower portion of the standard, is within easy reach of the operator,so that he does not low to overcome thepossibility of tipping the Then too, as demachine over accidentally.

is ahook scribed, combined with this handle,

on which the grinding head can be hung,

when not in use, and when transporting the machine from one room to another. Furthermore, the switch box is located on the standard near thecenter so that it is within easy reach of the'operatorto permit him to stop the machine in an instant, if necessary.

Exclusive balancing clcm'cc '7 This is one of the outstanding features of the invention, and it broadly embodies the housing, and adjusting spring drum, associated with the power transmission means. The spring is so tensioned as to relieve the operator of carrying, the overhanging weight of the suspended driving shafts. and tubing. As intimated this spiral spring reaction for counter-balancing, is placed at the first swivel oint or at the top of the standard. The spring thus arranged counterbalances the overhanging weight and responds.

to'the operators every movement, leaving him free to merely guide the grinding head.

This consequently releases him of unusual strains, and facilitates manipulation of the grinding head.

The short belt drive This includes the short belt 81, passing over the pulley on the electric motor and over the aforesaid pulley 25, and an automatic spring operated belt tightener 82 is associated therewith. As a safeguard against damage to the gears, should anything prevent their free and normal movement, and also as a simple and etficient power transmission, the machine is therefore equipped with this short belt drive. This delivers power from the motor to the first swivel oint and the toggle joint system, and the automatic belt tightener, insures steady full power and compensates any diiferences in the belt length when the electric power conditions necessi- 3 tate change of motors.

Further, provision is made to accommodate various motors through the aforesaid adjustable rails which support the motor and which lend themselves to the different spacings of the bolts in the base of motors.

the machine the naturalv tendency I have the entire weighto'f casings and housingsswivell'e'd "on the re-'volvwhich are accurately machined to ru n ,fec'tly true iii'gs,f which manner, that an accurate al-inement is indefi= nitely maintained.- i

"In changing motors, the belt dr'ive elimi n'ates aliner'nen't dilficulties that frequently occurwlie'n motors are geared direct to the machine. i1

Power transmission aaclloggle joint Ordinary so-ca l-le'd'to ggle' joint machines ing drive shaft, and the a-linenient of the gears could not be maintained becauseof'the parts including the rapid wear in all the SWiVG- ling joints themselves; ,Furtherinore', the shafts are made of cold rolled steel which are not only heavy, but are unadapted for the high's pe'ed' requirements of iiiacliiiies of this class a-ndthey therefore cannot possibly run true. The swivel joints also wear very fast and permit grit to get; 'nito'the and thus hasten wear of the gears. All of these difiiculti'e's are substain tially overcome in the arrangement herein described and shown by usinghollow sean'v for the shaft ex tensions ne and fittedwitli hollow end shafts o'n" which the ball bearing. is mounted.

less steel tubing The "drive shaft and "the gears are mounted on independent bearings, and the; swivel joints are also mountedon intermediate bearln conclusi'on, it is obvious-,"that the swivelling'nrotion and relative freedom of movement between the parts otthe transmission and gr indingl iead, permits the arrangement to fulfill theprequirements of a device of this class. Not only this,git-is constructing. the power transmissionmeans with the geared joints so 'inade, that they gradually step over toward onelongitudinal edge of the truck, thus disposing the grimt inghead' in alinemei'it with the longitudinal edge, the power being "taken offfi'o'm the con ter of the truck. This placesthe grinding head in the most natural position, to prevent undue angling of "thetruck with respect to the wall surfaces;

These and other advantages and features v ofthe invention have doubtless been made ap-. parent from the description and drawings.

Having" thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new is 2- 1. A base machine comprisin'ga portable the driving shaft tobe' noted that in areiii'stalledi'in such a unique 1 including relatively swingable .pendulous parts, and a spring balance device associatedjwith the upper end portion of said standardand With the adjacent portion of the eX- tended power transmission mechanism to maintain the latter in a suspended floating state.

2. In a base machine of the class described, a portable Wheel supportedtruck in cluding a-relative'ly low platform, a motor supported on said truck, a vertical standard conne :ted to and rising from the truck at one end of the motor and having its upper end extending above the motor, a head on the upper end oI said standard including bearings, drive shafts mounted in said 15 bearings, a pulley associated with one of said drive shafts, a second pulley carried by the motor shaft, a belt trained over said pulleys,

a horizontally disposed power transmitting section connected atits inner end to the 20 head on said standard and extending outward'ly beyond theadjacent end of the truck, a depending pendulous section supported from the outer end of said first section, and spring balance means associated with the inner endof said first named section and said head for maintaining both of said sections in yielding suspended relationship;

A base machine comprising a portable support, a motorarranged thereon, averti- 30 cal standard connected to and rising from the support and extending above the motor, drive shafts mounted in bearings on the up-- per end portion of said standard, a pulley associated with one of the drive shafts, an additional pulley associated with the motor, a belt trained over said pulleys, a surface treating device, power transmission-meansassociated with said device and a comp'les mental one of said drive shafts, said power n transmission means being composed of sections, the sections being of rigid form and swivelly connected together and including a horizontal section projecting outwardly beyond the standard, and a vertical section '15 depending from the outer end of said horizontal section, said surface treating device being rockably connected tothe lower end of said vertical section, and a spring bal ance device associated with said transmission no means and serving to hold the latter in a yieldab'le suspended state to permit unhampered manipulation of the surface treating device, and to relieve the operatorofthe weight of the hanging sections of said transmission means.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

HARRY L. MYERS. 

